Proposal calls for apartments in Thompson school building

     The North Iowa School Board is moving forward with the sale of the Thompson school building, after receiving bids from three parties who are all interested in turning the building into housing. The board heard initial proposals from those parties during a special meeting last Monday, Mar. 23, and made their decision on who they want to work with during another special meeting on Thursday, Mar. 26.

     Two Thompson High School graduates, Terry Durby of Leland and Mike Hauan of Scarville, won the school board’s support with their proposal to provide immediate housing in the Thompson school building. Their plan utilizes both the newer and older portions of the building, with up to nine 1-3 bedroom apartments in the 1915 3-story building and up to 10 1-3 bedroom apartments in the newer portion built in the ‘60s. Durby said they would like to revamp part of the newer building right away into a bunk house to provide housing for construction workers coming in for the expansion project at Rembrandt Enterprises.

     The plan also calls for developing more housing on the land behind the school, featuring cul-de-sac streets for new homes, as well as the possibility of adding more apartments on the property. Durby said their focus would be on getting the infrastructure in place for the construction of new homes, while they would let other interested parties build those homes. Storage sheds could also be added behind the school, while a recreational trail could surround the property.

     See full story in this week's Tribune.